2018 SICKLE & SHEAF ➻ Fall

THE MAGAZINE OF ALPHA GAMMA RHO AGRICULTURE FRATERNITY âž» FALL 2018

In the Face of Uncertainty A family, a fraternity, a future

In Earnest

Why I Give:

“They Have Enriched My Life Tremendously” FOUNDATION DONOR:

Monica Voiles

CHAPTER AND SCHOOL:

Alpha Psi, Wisconsin-River Falls

LIFETIME GIVING LEVEL:

Foundation Member

FOR OVER 20 YEARS, MONICA “MOM” VOILES

“I felt the support from our collegiate chapter, our wonderful alumni, and the AGR Home Office in Kansas City — the entire AGR community — when my son passed away in June,” said Voiles.

“The feeling of a ‘family’ is real.”

has served as the Housemother for the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

“I have enjoyed every moment,” said Mom Voiles when asked about her AGR experience.

Voiles discovered the fraternity when she was working in the University’s Admissions Office and multiple Alpha Gamma Rho members served as tour guides on campus.

“They were hard-working, respectful, fun young men to be around,” said Voiles. “When they were looking for a Housemother, my coworkers encouraged me to apply. Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would still be here 21 years later!”

Not only has Mom Voiles been a long-term mentor to Alpha Psi Chapter, but she continues to be a donor to the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho. Throughout her years of service, Voiles has given to the Loyalty Fund for AGR, the AGRconnect campaign, and the Alpha Psi Housing Fund. When asked why she continues to support the National Fraternity, Mom Voiles said she’s felt supported by her entire AGR family.

“I felt the support from our collegiate chapter, our wonderful alumni, and the AGR

Home Office in Kansas City — the entire AGR community — when my son passed away in June,” said Voiles. “The feeling of a ‘family’ is real.”

Alpha Psi Chapter at Wisconsin-River Falls has 46 collegiate members and over 900 alumni. Mom Voiles feels her commitment has been inspired by the many brothers she’s met and their dedication to better themselves and others within the fraternity.

“I am constantly amazed at the work ethic of these young men, whether it is getting up at 3:30 AM to milk cows before class or dropping everything to help someone who needs help,” said Voiles.

Over the years, the UW-River Falls Housemother has been recognized by the National Fraternity for her commitment to providing a positive climate and culture for her collegiate members. She has received multiple Housemother/Director service awards through the annual AGR Chapter Awards Program.

“I always tell them [the chapter]... how proud I am to be associated with Alpha Gamma Rho,” said Voiles. “They have enriched my life tremendously — I can only hope I have been a 'positive' in theirs.”

BE A PARTNER FOR PROGRESS. Your contribution—your investment—allows Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity to continue providing its members with exceptional collegiate experiences, shaping more than 100 years of young men and sharpening the leading edge of an ever-changing world of agriculture. Your support provides the resources of the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho—the Foundation that supports your Fraternity. Make a gift today at alphagammarho.org/donate.

Table of Contents

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FALL 2018 | VOLUME 106 | ISSUE 2

Published continuously since 1910

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EDITOR

Dave Korbelik

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DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & BUSINESS MANAGER

Caitlin Stauffer

Departments

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

AGR E L E VA N C E

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News from the Home Office and the world of Greek-letter organizations

Grant Bargfrede, Loren Kruse, Becky Haley, Matthias Olson, Ted Priebe, John Ruebush, Patrick Scheetz, Jeremy Zweiacker DESIGN & LAYOUT

THE PILL ARS

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Take note of these four numbers THE HARVEST

SUBMISSIONS FOR SICKLE & SHEAF

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Chapter Awards, National Scholarships, Foundation Donors, and more

Features Rex Martin: Completing the Leadership Circle Making Better Men Through Lifelong Personal Development In the Face of Uncertainty

TR ANSITIONS

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Honoring those brothers who have departed

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Q & AG R

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Meet Brother Bernie Staller, new Grand President of Alpha Gamma Rho. T H E L A S T PA S S

Tria Designs, Inc. alphagammarho.org/share-your-news caitlin@alphagammarho.org

Sickle & Sheaf (ISSN 8750-6866) is published two times a year (Fall and Spring)

by Publications Office, 10101 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO. Members receive life subscriptions with payment of initiation fee. Non-Profit Standard postage paid at Bolingbrook, IL, and additional mailing office.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Sickle & Sheaf, 10101 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153-1366.

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Alpha Gamma Rho Loses a GIANT! FA L L 2 0 1 8

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AGRelevance

More AGR Commissioners of Agriculture Steven Censky, USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Initiated into Alpha Phi at South Dakota State University in 1982

Ted McKinney, USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs Initiated into Delta Chapter at Purdue University in 1977

Gary Black, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture

Louisiana’s Commissioner of Agriculture Initiated into Alpha Gamma Rho Dr. Mike Strain, Louisiana’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, has officially been initiated into Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Brothers from across the nation were able to witness the initiation of Dr. Strain during AGR’s National Convention in New Orleans on August 3. The initiation ceremony was led by members of Alpha Epsilon Chapter at Louisiana State University (LSU).

DR. MICHAEL G. STRAIN A native of Covington, Louisiana, Strain earned a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from LSU in 1983. In 1999, he was elected to the first of two terms as State Representative, where he served on the Agriculture Committee and chaired the Legislative Rural Caucus. Strain was awarded the National FFA Organization’s highest award, the Honorary American Degree, in August 2009 and was inducted into the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction in May 2010. In January 2013, Strain was named “Veterinarian of the Year” by the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. He has also previously served terms as president of SUSTA (the Southern United States Trade Association), SASDA (the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture), and NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture). Brother Strain and his wife, Dr. Susan Searcy Strain, have two adult children and currently reside in Covington, LA. 2

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Initiated into Alpha Eta Chapter at the University of Georgia in 2005

Shawn Jasper, New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture Initiated into Omega Chapter at the University of New Hampshire in 1977.

Adam Putnam, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Initiated into Alpha Gamma Chapter at the University of Florida in 1992.

Walter Whitcomb, Maine Commissioner of Agriculture Initiated into Psi Chapter at the University of Maine in 1971

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AGR BBQ Championship to Return March 2019 Alpha Gamma Rho’s Central Tennessee Alumni Chapter would like to announce that the annual AGR BBQ Championship will return to the James E. Ward Agriculture Center in 2019. On March 29-30, the weekend of Brotherhood and BBQ will once again fill the air in Lebanon, TN, home of the Wilson County Fair.

The dedicated members of the AGR BBQ committee want the focus of the 2019 BBQ Championship to be Brotherhood. With alumni and collegiate teams participating alongside each other, the atmosphere around the cook sites show the strength of AGR’s brotherhood from both teams, young and old.

Teams will once again compete in 4 categories consisting of pork, ribs, chicken and a special category that is still to be determined. The weekend will begin Friday afternoon with a “Pig Pullin” social, which has become a great part of the weekend to let everyone relax before the pits are lit. Competition turn-in will be on Saturday morning and awards will be handed out Saturday afternoon, with AGR Rope Pull and Corn Hole competitions being held in-between. There are RV spots available and camping areas for brothers who want to compete or just join the fun.

Make sure to visit www.agrbbq.com for more information and future announcements.

SAVE THE DATE: Join us March 29-30, 2019 for Brotherhood and BBQ!

“Feed the Good” is the Focus for Steve Hanson with Prebiotic Ingredient “Think of your gut as a garden,” says Iowa State alumnus Steve Hanson.

“You want to feed the flowers, fruits and vegetables, but not the weeds.”

That notion is the basis of a prebiotic ingredient developed by Prenexus Health, where Hanson serves as Senior Vice President of Global Sales.

Prebiotics, put simply, are fuel for the bacteria in your digestive system. Prenexus Health, based in Gilbert, Arizona, is the innovator of a xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) prebiotic, which selectively targets and feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut.

“Our XOS prebiotic is different than other types because it selectively feeds good bacteria, and less of the unwanted ones,” said Hanson.

Prenexus Health's XOS prebiotic comes from high fiber sugar cane and is produced using a clean process of heat, water and filtration that results in a high purity prebiotic ingredient.

Hanson says prebiotics represent an exciting trend in the nutrition industry. Research points to poor gut health being associated with the increase in children’s allergies,

impact on brain function, reduced immune health and more.

“As the amount of bacteria types present in our gut — known as 'microbiome diversity' — has decreased over the last few generations, we’ve seen an increase in health concerns that can be traced back to these changes” said Hanson. “I’m excited to be leading where prebiotics are headed for improving health.”

After earning a degree in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture from Iowa State University, his career has included more than 20 years in the nutrition industry. Growing up in northern Iowa, this son of a nurse and a high school agriculture teacher never imagined he’d help chart the future of nutrition from the Arizona desert.

That said, Hanson isn’t as far from the farm as one might think.

“Family farmers are the sole source of the raw material used to create our XOS prebiotic,” said Hanson. “Knowing we’re creating new value-added markets for American farmers is one of the best parts of the job.”

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Earning a Reputation on Campus

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Gamma Zeta Chapter at Arkansas Tech University (ATU) is the newest installed chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. In a time when Greek life has become highly controversial, the men of the former Alpha Gamma Rho colony set out to prove something before becoming an official chapter, and quickly earned themselves a reputation on ATU’s campus.

ture, brothers within the colony studied together and helped one another stay involved within the university’s Department of Agriculture.

“I have been impressed by their hard work and dedication to their organization, as well as their dedication to the ATU Department of Agriculture,” said Bryan Rank, a professor in ATU’s Agriculture Department.

Alpha Gamma Rho has quickly become an important asset of ATU’s Department of Agriculture, being heavily involved in all of the departmental activities from academic to social functions.

Highest Fraternal GPA

The First to Help

As a colony, the collegiate men at ATU took Alpha Gamma Rho’s values seriously and inspired “a pursuit of academic excellence” on campus. For the spring 2017 semester, the collegiate brothers raised the scholastic achievement bar on campus — earning the highest fraternal GPA with a 3.28 cumulative GPA. With the majority of members studying agricul-

The colony has also earned a reputation on campus for their high level of community service and philanthropy. Throughout the last two Christmas seasons, the colony filled many of the volunteer roles for a community-wide event to help raise money for the local Boys and Girls Club. The men also support the Angel Tree Project —an effort that provides gifts and clothing to children in need. In 2017, they adopted fifteen

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children to support through the program. Gamma Zeta Chapter also worked with Arkansas Tech Department of Agriculture to support the Arkansas Special Olympics through the Polar Plunge Challenge. In 2017, the men raised nearly $2,000 through their efforts — which was over half of the total proceeds raised by the entire department.

“This group of men is consistently the first one to help out,” said Emily Schlaf a Graduate Assistant for Greek Life at Arkansas Tech University.

Seth Harrison, Vice Noble Ruler of Membership Development for Gamma Zeta, said he is proud to represent AGR and that his involvement has helped him develop interpersonal skills to make friends and grow outside of his comfort zone.

“AGR helps me keep growing through fundraisers and philanthropy, which have given me more confidence and helped me become a better man,” said Harrison.

Colony to Chapter Since the spring of 2016, the group of over 20 collegiate men worked hard as a colony to represent AGR and the

Greek community through their excellent scholastic and community service records.

Within the last two years, the group has grown to become one of the larger fraternities on campus with a great social and professional reputation.

The AGR colony has been looking forward to becoming an official chapter and the men are excited to have the full resources of the National Fraternity and their Interfraternity Council. The group expressed their hopes of eventually having a chapter strong enough to own a chapter house in the future.

During Business Session II of the AGR National Convention on Friday, August 3, 2018, AGR’s colony at Arkansas Tech University petitioned to be installed as an official chapter. The delegation of the 2018 National Convention was impressed with their membership and enthusiastically voted to welcome the colony as the newest AGR chapter Gamma Zeta Chapter. Gamma Zeta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at Arkansas Tech University was officially installed on October 13, 2018.

Corporate Partners AGR is committed to offering opportunities for members and corporations in the dynamic global agriculture and food industries to connect. Thank you to our Corporate Partners for support of our mission!

ELITE

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER ADM Bader Rutter BRONZE CDW Zen-Noh Grain Corp

FIND US. FRIEND US. FOLLOW US. @alphagammarhohq @alphagammarho Alpha Gamma Rho: Social/ Professional Ag, Food, Fiber, & Life Sci. Fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho

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Colony Installed at Cobleskill

The Purpose of Alpha Gamma Rho is “to make better men and through them a broader and better agriculture…” has remained relatively unchanged for over 100 years. To accomplish this, the fraternity aims to develop young men into leaders at each campus where Alpha Gamma Rho has a presence.

But what about the campuses with agriculture, natural resources, and life and environmental science programming who do not have an Alpha Gamma Rho chapter?

Alpha Gamma Rho strives to make a continuous effort to find and analyze what new campuses will best benefit from the presence and Purpose of AGR. This fall, the social and professional agriculture fraternity found a new home at the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology in Cobleskill, NY — also known as SUNY Cobleskill.

Alpha Gamma Rho is the first North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) affiliated fraternity to be present on Cobleskill's 6

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campus. This is important as 2018 is the first time in recent university history they will be choosing to recognize Greek-lettered organizations on the campus.

“Helping establish a new colony for Alpha Gamma Rho has been a wholly unique experience,” said Nathan Laudan, Membership Growth Consultant for Alpha Gamma Rho. “When we came for site visits last spring, we were able to see the excitement and the hunger these students had for a fraternity experience.”

On September 8, 2018, the men of AGR’s Zeta Chapter at Cornell University traveled to Cobleskill to help install the newest colony of Alpha Gamma Rho. Thirteen young men with intentions to make a difference on their campus were initiated into the colony at SUNY. These men are majoring in different degrees including animal science, dairy science, agriculture business, agriculture engineering, and more.

Together, they averaged a GPA of 3.35 and are each involved in orga-

nizations on the Cobleskill campus.

As of October 2018, the colony has over 20 members.

“Coming back this fall to recruit these new members was fulfilling,” Laudan continued. “It’s been incredible to meet these young leaders who are ready to dive into everything AGR and agriculture.

It’s obvious that the Purpose of Alpha Gamma Rho is as relevant today as it was when it was written.”

At the installation ceremony, Grant Bargfrede, AGR’s Senior Director of Operations, offered his advice for a successful experience and proposed a challenge to the new colony members.

“This is a new start and new chapter not only for yourselves, but for your campus,” said Bargfrede.

“Know that what you are creating isn’t just for you, but for the generations of students who will come after you. I challenge you to keep that in mind with everything you create this year.”

The Pillars

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13 members were recruited and initiated into AGR’s newest colony at the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology in Cobleskill, New York on September 8, 2018.

Learn more on page 6.

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ber Num R G A of ter p a h C rds Awa n e t giv ghou throu 17-18 0 the 2 ic em d a c a year.

Alpha Gamma Rho is thrilled to announce AGRconnect is now mobile friendly. Login at AGRconnect.org to explore the new calendar, individual development guide, semester goals, toolboxes, and more.

The 2018 National Convention was one of the largest National Conventions in Alpha Gamma Rho history, coming very close to the record of 561 attendees during AGR’s Centennial Convention in 2004.

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43 awards were presented during AGR’s National Convention, including biennial Top Chapter Awards. View the full listing of AGR’s annual Chapter Awards beginning on page 17.

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Rex Martin is excited to come home to Alpha Gamma Rho, the nation’s leading agriculture fraternity, as its new CEO. He was selected to lead the organization this past February and strongly believes in Alpha Gamma Rho’s core purpose “to make better men.” He has spent the last seven months connecting across the Alpha Gamma Rho network and building plans for the future.

Rex Martin believes in the value of lifelong leadership. He is a product of it and knows it all comes full circle.

"AGR has a great track record of developing young men into productive leaders of the agricultural industry,” said Martin. “Many leaders cite their experiences with the fraternity as a fundamental factor in their personal and professional growth and that was certainly true for me.”

Growing up on a farrow to finish swine operation in Camden, Arkansas, his parents taught him the value of 8

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hard work and strong ethics. He participated in his fair share of Arkansas livestock shows and was active in the National FFA Organization, serving as Arkansas FFA State President.

In 1985, Rex traveled north of the farm to attend the University of Arkansas and was initiated into Alpha Iota Chapter in 1986. As an undergraduate, Martin recalls that he enjoyed his experience living in the fraternity house the most.

Following college, Rex began his career in the the crop protection industry

based in Amarillo, Texas. Not knowing a single person in Texas, he pushed himself to meet others by getting involved with Big Brother and Big Sisters and his church. And, it was at church where he first met his wife Kristie.

From Texas to Iowa to North Carolina, he eventually landed in Springfield, Mo. working in state government relations for Syngenta. Syngenta is where he devoted the majority of his career, rising to head up its industry relations, governmental affairs and external affairs in Washington, D.C. Following Syngenta, he served as the senior vice president of owner relations at Dairy Management, Inc. where he was responsible for building partnerships with farmers, agribusiness and national agricultural associations.

Throughout his career, there was one common thread, and that was leadership development.

“I have had so many people help me along the way and help shape me into who I am,” said Rex. “All my life, I have been involved in mentoring and developing leaders in some way. It is my passion to help develop others.”

Rex has received numerous awards recognizing his leadership commitment, including the William Larue award from the Southern Crop Production Association, the CropLife America Workhorse award and the Missouri Corn Growers Association and American Agri-Women President’s award. He also was the first-ever recipient of the Kansas Ag Retailers Association’s “Standing TALL” award.

Throughout most of his 28-year career, Springfield is where he planted his roots with his wife. They have two daughters: Blair, who is a sophomore at DePaul University in Chicago, and Haley, who is a junior at Kickapoo High School in Springfield Mo. The family enjoys vacations by the water, snow skiing and snowmobiling.

This February, he landed to be what he considers “coming home” when he was asked to serve as AGR’s Chief Executive Officer — the fourth one in the fraternity’s 114-year history.

“I was thrilled and honored to be chosen to lead AGR," said Rex. “And, I know am ready for the challenge to help move AGR forward into the future.”

The Plan: “Moving Forward”

Moving the fraternity forward is the focus for Rex as he assumes the CEO role.

He is “excited to be working with excellent staff and volunteers” who serve the fraternity and its purpose “to make better men.”

Brother Martin brings a passion for leadership training, mentoring and working in non-profits to AGR. He appreciates the opportunity to lead AGR and shift from the corporate world to a position that allows him the chance to make more of a direct impact on the future of agriculture.

“AGR brothers hold important values that last a lifetime,” said Rex. “I want to harness the enthusiasm and passion for agriculture and provide support to our collegiate men.”

“AGR brothers hold important values that last a lifetime,” said Rex. “I want to harness the enthusiasm and passion for agriculture and provide support to our collegiate men.”

One of Rex’s first priorities was to analyze the framework of AGR. He began by sorting out AGR’s infrastructure and taking the time to understand each building block or “brick”.

“I had to understand how the current framework was built,” said Rex. “What is succeeding, what can, or should we do differently, and how we can restructure and make necessary improvements to move AGR in the right direction.”

“AGR must be an agent for change,” said Martin. “There are definite trends in the

world of agriculture, and AGR must learn how to adapt while maintaining its integrity. “ What does AGR look like in five to 10 years? Rex believes AGR will be “stronger” across the nation and exhibit more leadership at the collegiate level. He feels AGR, as a national organization, will expand to more universities, have an even stronger presence within agriculture companies — and continue to hold a prominent position within agriculture.

He believes chapters must continue to embrace the AGR Brotherhood Program, build strong relationships with the Departments and Schools of Agriculture on each campus, and be leaders within their community.

Rex knows the importance of a strong support system and wants alumni to continue to build closer relationships with chapters to provide direction and guidance when needed.

Looking forward, one of the main focuses will be to enhance support and resources for leadership and career development within the agriculture industry.

This will include innovative partnerships that leverage AGR’s capacities. The fraternity will put increased emphasis on equipping our agricultural leaders of tomorrow.

“Alpha Gamma Rho is a social and professional organization — emphasis on professional,” said Rex, “We are leaders within agriculture. AGR must continue to grow and enhance career

development so we can create lifelong leaders in our industry.”

When others look back on his time as a leader, he hopes they will feel he left AGR better than when he started. Ideally, AGR will be in good hands for the next person, who will be ready to move AGR forward, completing the circle of leadership.”

Four Key Strategies for Moving AGR Forward: 1. Communication

new branding, enhanced AGR communications and increased external communications;

2. Revenue Enhancement

the development of more corporate partnerships, annual giving and a new capital campaign;

3. Leadership

elevating existing programs, executive team coordination and career development; and

4. G rowth

new chapters, stronger chapters, increased chapter membership and improved alumni / chapter engagement.

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Making Better Men “We, the Brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho, commit ourselves to give you the benefit of our support and experience so that you may obtain a high level of scholarship, maturity, and awareness of Fraternity ideals which, when united with genuine compassion and concern for your fellow man, will help make you a well-rounded individual and true Brother in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.”

— ALPHA GAMMA RHO COVENANT

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THROUGH LIFELONG PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT THESE WORDS, FROM THE COVENANT OF

Alpha Gamma Rho, describe the experience the Fraternity believes every member deserves, and reaffirms that providing this experience requires both commitment and action from each brother.

The Covenant serves as a brother-to-brother agreement “to make better men”. This agreement is demonstrated most clearly through the AGR Brotherhood Program—a formalized series of events, experiences, and activities concentrating on the growth of each individual member.

Spring of 2017 marked the 25th anniversary of the Brotherhood Program, which was adopted in 1992 to eliminate pledging for the National Fraternity. At this quarter-century milestone, a taskforce was formed to identify opportunities for continued improvement and to lead the revision and updating process that has taken place over the last year. The revision has been supported by AGR Home Office staff members, a focus group of collegiate and alumni members, and consultants from The Context Network—a leading agribusiness consulting firm with numerous AGRs among their ranks.

The overall goal of the Brotherhood Program revision has been to expand the focus from ensuring minimum expectations are met to creating

an ongoing, life-long personal development program. This expansion requires identifying a way to measure progress; creating activities which support continuous personal growth; and producing individualized experiences to support the diverse ambitions of each member. The enhanced Brotherhood Program was unveiled at AGR National Convention in August 2018, and can be depicted in four pillars: New Member Excellence, Chapter Programming, Mentoring, and Individual Resources.

I.

New Member Excellence is the most widely adopted area of the original Brotherhood Program, and ensures each new member has the awareness of, and ability to meet and exceed, our minimum expectations.

II. Chapter Programming includes the

many types of events, initiatives, and other actions taken by chapters to provide a positive experience for brothers while improving our communities and home campuses.

III. Mentoring , the third pillar, has always

been an important part of Alpha Gamma Rho, and is further emphasized in the improved Brotherhood Program.

AGR Brotherhood Program Timeline

Green-colored activities are reoccurring while purple-colored activities happen once in the member’s experience throughout the program.

YEARS 2, 3, 4 YEAR 1

Continuous Recr uitment

GROW

NURTURE

Orientation Initiation Self Assessment

REPEAT

Ongoing Self-Assessment, Goal Setting, & Mentor Reviews

Goal Setting Quality Control

GIVE

Big Brother & Mentor Meetings Graduation Ritual

Big Brother & Mentor Meetings Semester Review w/Big Brother

Bid Extension

New Member Education Examples of Ongoing AGR Chapter Programming Risk Career Management Development

Community Service

Ag Industry Issues

Mentorship

Recruitment

Professional Skills

AGR History & Values

Personal Health

Chapter Retreats

Etiguette

Brotherhood /Bonding

IV. Individual Resources, shown in the

fourth pillar, are new additions to support each member’s unique development path and are accessible any time via AGRconnect.org.

These modernized tools are useful for tracking activity over time, but the most critical piece of ongoing personal development is having a standard to measure against.

A diverse team of undergraduates and National Leaders developed 12 competencies, organized in four areas, which make up the foundation of the Brotherhood Program. These competencies give each member a guide for setting goals and a way to measure their progress.

Two key activities that support individualized growth are the Self-Assessment and Goal Setting components. This gives each member the opportunity to score himself across the 12 competencies and set goals for improvement. These assessment scores and goals can be kept private, or ideally, would serve as a discussion topic with that member’s Big Brother and other mentors.

The AGR Home Office will be supporting chapters in rolling out the program over the next year, and has produced a suggested timeline for conducting the various activities of the Alpha Gamma Rho Brotherhood Program at the chapter level.

To learn more about the expanded Brotherhood Program view the Brotherhood Program Outline module on AGRconnect.org. Much like Alpha Gamma Rho members strive to continuously improve themselves, the AGRconnect endowment ensures AGRconnect will continue to improve as well. Coming soon: a new 5 Orders of Recognition Program and tools to support the Semi-Annual Brotherhood Review!

NEW & IMPROVED AGRconnect AGRconnect is an online resource designed to engage, educate, and empower members of Alpha Gamma Rho. Over the last year, the Fraternity has made many advancements to improve the online user experience on AGRconnect.org and help with accessibility of tools for both collegiate chapters and alumni members.

Vivayic, a company that designs learning solutions, worked with the AGR Home Office to recreate AGR’s New Member Education modules.

Additionally, members of the AGR Home Office worked with Monarch Media, Inc. to create a learning management system with new technology and more capabilities. The educational platform is now mobile friendly, and has been updated with a number of tools to help AGR chapters succeed within the Fraternity, on campus, and in their individual lives.

New DASHBOARD: Find announcements from your chapter and the National Fraternity on your Dashboard! View which courses you are enrolled in and your current progress within them.

SEMESTER GOALS: Set your Semester Goals under the “My Development” tab on your Dashboard. Make sure to set your goals for the Fall 2018 semester!

CALENDAR: Check out the new Calendar feature that keeps you up-to-date on National Fraternity events and your local chapter events! Chapter Officers can add to the calendar so chapter members and alumni can always know about upcoming events! You may also use the calendar to set personal reminders.

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In the Face of Uncertain

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hen you grow up in a farming family, you’re no stranger to uncertainty.

You’re used to the fickleness of the weather, the volatility of the markets, the temperamental animal, the combine that only breaks down when there is rain in the forecast, and the dryer fan that seems to shut itself off whenever it darn well pleases.

It seems the only certainty in farming is uncertainty.

College is also unpredictable — especially when you’re a student from a rural community. The transition can be intimidating — it’s not uncommon for a single lecture hall to contain more students than your entire hometown high school.

More than anyone else, it seems members of Alpha Gamma Rho understand where the uncertainties of agriculture and college life intersect. But it’s in the most profound moments of the unknown that the certitude of AGR brotherhood proves itself.

W

nty A family, a fraternity, a future.

By John Ruebush, Illinois Illustration by Jenny Boehme

Below: Mitchell Farms operation is located outside of Winnebago, Illinois, and includes dairy cattle, corn, and soybeans. In the fall of 2015, they completed construction of a new free stall barn, with capacity for 450 milking cows.

SIX GENERATIONS, ONE FARM

Winnebago County, situated in the northernmost part of Illinois, is a microcosm of the Prairie State. It’s a balance of urban and rural — home to Rockford, one of the state’s three largest cities, it’s also home to long expanses of farmland. Bordering Wisconsin, Winnebago County knows dairy cattle, and amongst its numerous dairy farms is the Mitchell Farm.

Located just outside the town of Winnebago, the Mitchell family has farmed their land for six generations. Today, the Mitchell farming operation includes 400 head of dairy cattle, as well as corn and soybeans. If a case could be made for the quintessential Midwestern dairy farm, the

Mitchells could certainly make it. But in July of 2008, the future of their family farm became anything but certain.

FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Sixteen-year-old Aaron Mitchell had plenty of people to look up to in his life.

His dad, Mike, was a well-respected dairy farmer and vice president of the Illinois Milk Producers Association. Mom, Janice, had served as the school district’s band director for more than 15 years. Oldest brother, John, had recently returned home to the family farm after graduating with a degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois. And middle brother, Kyle, was preparing for his junior year at Illinois, studying Agricultural Engineering.

More than anyone else, it seems members of Alpha Gamma Rho understand where the uncertainties of agriculture and college life intersect.

Aaron, who’d be starting his junior year of high school in the fall, was attending summer camp when he received news that would change his life.

“I noticed a couple of the camp counselors talking, and I could tell by the looks on their faces that something wasn’t quite right,” said Aaron.

Soon, those counselors brought Aaron to the camp’s office, where his aunt had arrived with devastating news: Aaron’s father and middle brother had passed away in a farming accident.

Earlier that day, Aaron’s father was trying to fix a pump on an empty slurry tank. He climbed inside the tank to check something and was overcome by methane gas that had built up, which caused him to pass out.

Middle brother, Kyle, was working nearby. He noticed he hadn’t seen his father in a while, so he went looking for him. As he looked around the slurry tank, he eventually spotted his dad, unconscious inside. Kyle immediately scrambled down the ladder to render assistance, while shouting to oldest brother John to call 9-1-1. John anxiously FA L L 2 0 1 8

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In the Face of Uncertainty Farming consistently ranks among the top 10 most dangerous occupations— ahead of electricians, construction workers, and even law enforcement officers.

waited for the rescue crew to arrive, but by the time they got there and put on all their protective gear, it was too late.

Mike Mitchell and his son had both been overcome by the fumes.

“You can’t see the gas, you can’t smell it, and unfortunately people see someone who’s unconscious, they think they’ve just hit their head or had a heart attack… ,” said Aaron.

“As farmers, our instinct is to jump in and help, and sometimes in situations like this, that has unintended consequences.”

Unfortunately, this tragic situation is not uncommon and death by farming accident affects many farm families across the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, farming consistently ranks among the top 10 most dangerous occupations— ahead of electricians, construction workers, and even law enforcement officers.

“I see a story almost every year where a very similar thing happens to someone else,” said Aaron.

“Luckily, John had the wherewithal to stay out of the tank and wait for the rescue squad, or it probably would’ve gotten him, too,” Aaron continued. “If it had, it probably would’ve been the end of the farm … I was 16 at the time and there’s no way I could have taken on the family business at that point in my life.”

A COMMUNITY — AND A FRATERNITY — GATHER

Aaron Mitchell sits outside the Mitchell family home with a young calf. Aaron and his older brother, John, help manage the Mitchell Farms’ dairy herd while their cousin helps with the grain operation.

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The community’s respect for the family became evident in the following days. A memorial service — held at the high school gymnasium to accommodate the crowd — brought together nearly 600 friends and neighbors to pay their respects.

Among the crowd were a number of Alpha Gamma Rho brothers from Alpha Chapter at the University of Illinois, where oldest son John had lived while attending college.

“I could always tell John’s Agger brothers were his really close friends,” said Aaron. “I didn’t realize how close, until they showed up that day to honor my dad and brother.”

Despite being located in the northernmost part of the state, just miles away from the Wisconsin border, numerous AGR brothers drove several hours and stood in line for over an hour, just to give a moment of comfort to their brother in need.

“Seeing those guys drop everything to be there for us meant the world,” said Aaron. “I pretty much made up my mind right then and there about where I wanted to be when I went to college.”

A WISE DECISION

Eventually, Aaron was accepted to the University of Illinois, rushed Alpha Gamma Rho, and received a bid for membership. Despite moving from a community of 3,000 to a campus of 45,000, Aaron knew he already had a familiar support system in place.

“Coming from a small town and moving to such a huge place… it’s intimidating,” said Aaron. “But I’d already seen the power of Alpha Gamma Rho brotherhood, so I knew there was a group of guys who share a bond in agriculture and value what I value.”

This bond came into play during the tough times, like the university’s annual Dads Weekend.

“You have moments sometimes where your emotions break down,” said Aaron. “Knowing there’s somebody — anybody — down the hall who’ll take the time to just sit and talk you through those tough moments — it means everything.”

“I just wouldn’t have gotten that kind of support if I’d lived in the dorms,” Aaron adds. “Joining Alpha Gamma Rho is one of the wisest decisions I’ve ever made.”

BACK TO THE FARM

“I’d already

Aaron completed his seen the powdegree in 2014 and joined oldest brother er of Alpha John back at the MitchGamma Rho ell farm. Together, they brotherhood, manage the dairy herd, while a cousin heads up so I knew the grain operation. there was a The Mitchell Farm is run well and in good group of guys hands, but there’s no who share a substitute for the guiding bond in agrivoice of a father.

“There are times when culture and you find yourself wishvalue what ing you could just ask your dad something…”

I value.” said Aaron, “That experience is priceless.”

Even without the guidance of their father, Aaron and John are building on the strong foundation Mike Mitchell left for them.

“To see John dive in and take over the farm so soon after graduating college always impressed me and made me want to step up, too,” said Aaron. “It’s been ten years since we lost our dad, but we’re still learning on the fly.”

And just as importantly, Aaron and John know their other brothers – their Alpha Gamma Rho brothers — are there for them, just like they were at the hardest time in the Mitchell family’s life.

“If you farm, you accept a life of uncertainty,” said Aaron. “But I know I can be certain that my Agger brothers will be there for me if I ever need it.”

Above: Both John and Aaron Mitchell were members of Alpha Gamma Rho’s Alpha Chapter at the University of Illinois.

Middle: Mitchell brothers Aaron, John, and Kyle grew up helping on the farm and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

Right: Oldest brother, John, took over the family farm following the tragic accident. Today, the family milks over 350 cows, three times a day.

The Harvest This section is dedicated to recognizing accomplishments of Alpha Gamma Rho in the 2017-18 year.

We celebrate the progress of the entire Fraternity and the excellence of its chapters, collegiates, alumni, Advisers, Housemother/Directors, and all those who help advance Our Purpose of Making Better Men. The Harvest includes chapter awards, scholarship recipients, major donors, and more.

Whether you are a collegiate leader, an adviser, or a generous donor, thank you for helping Alpha Gamma Rho pursue excellence.

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The Harvest

2018 Top Chapter Awards The Sleeter Bull, Most Improved Chapter and Maynard H. Coe, Chapter Efficiency awards were presented on Saturday, August 4, during the Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at AGR National Convention.

THE SLEETER BULL AWARD The Sleeter Bull Award is awarded to an AGR chapter that has shown the most improvement in the past two years while meeting qualifications of Chapter Awards including a great GPA, consistency with AGR Promise and Values, and other improvements compared to previous years. ff The Sleeter Bull, Most Improved Chapter award was presented to Beta Phi Chapter at the University of Idaho. ff This year, the Sleeter Bull Award runner-up was Chi Chapter at Cal Poly State University-SLO.

THE MAYNARD H. COE AWARD The Maynard H. Coe Award recognizes an AGR chapter that has best exemplified the Promise and Values of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

Chapters must meet the qualifications for Chapter Awards and demonstrate efficiency and consistent excellence over the past two years. ff The Maynard H. Coe, Chapter Efficiency award was presented to Eta Chapter at Iowa State University. ff The Maynard H. Coe Award runner-up was Pi Chapter at Oklahoma State University.

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The Harvest

GOLD STATUS Alpha, Illinois Delta, Purdue Epsilon, North Dakota State Eta, Iowa State Theta, Missouri

AGR Chapter Awards ďƒ™ Green & Gold Chapters All Alpha Gamma Rho Chapters have an opportunity to be recognized for their excellence. Chapters who achieve all

Iota, Wisconsin-Madison Kappa, Nebraska-Lincoln Lambda, Minnesota Nu, North Carolina State Omicron, Kentucky Alpha Gamma, Florida Alpha Zeta, Kansas State Alpha Theta, Maryland Alpha Iota, Arkansas Alpha Pi, Arizona Alpha Sigma, Fresno State

of the requirements for 4 of the 7 categories below will be

Alpha Tau, Western Illinois

recognized as a Green Chapter while Chapters who achieve

Alpha Upsilon, Tennessee-Martin

all of the requirements for 6 of the 7 categories below will be recognized as a Gold Chapter.

1. Academic Excellence 2. Lifelong Membership Development 3. Continued Alumni Relations 4. Chapter Crescents 5. Recruitment Excellence 6. Communications 7. Living the Promise & Values

Alpha Phi, South Dakota State Alpha Psi, Wisconsin-River Falls Beta Phi, Idaho

GREEN STATUS Sigma, Washington State Chi, Cal Poly State Alpha Eta, Georgia Alpha Kappa, TennesseeKnoxville Beta Sigma, Tarleton State

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The Harvest Academic Excellence

Communications

Recognizes the top three chapters that have shown campus leadership in academics and established a strong academic program for their chapter.

Recognizes chapters who are engaging alumni, potential new members and those outside of the fraternity through multiple online platforms. Chapters who are actively involved on their chapter website, e-newsletters, social media sites, and more are eligible.

HIGHEST HONOR

Eta, Iowa State HIGH HONOR

Lambda, Minnesota HONORABLE MENTION

HIGHEST HONOR

Delta, Purdue

Lambda, Minnesota

Continued Alumni Engagement

Eta, Iowa State

Recognizes the top three chapters who continually foster strong alumni involvement and leadership both on and off campus throughout the year.

HIGHEST HONOR

Eta, Iowa State HIGH HONOR

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State HONORABLE MENTION

Kappa, Nebraska-Lincoln

Chapter Crescent: Single Issue Recognizes the top three chapters who have compiled a Crescent that is visually appealing, free of grammatical errors, and is comprised of approximately 75% Alumni News and 25% undergraduate news.

HIGHEST HONOR

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State HIGH HONOR

Epsilon, North Dakota State HONORABLE MENTION

Delta, Purdue

Chapter Crescent: Best Feature Story Chapters who wish to apply for this award will submit the article as it appeared in their Chapter Crescent. A feature story can include, but is not limited to, making a difference on campus or in the community, alumni accomplishments to the chapter or agricultural industry, chapter philanthropic events, etc.

HIGHEST HONOR

Kappa, Nebraska-Lincoln HIGH HONOR

HIGH HONOR

Recognizes Housemothers/ Directors who have developed and implemented programs and initiatives to improve the social development and/or cultural awareness of the brothers.

HIGHEST HONOR

Monica Voiles Alpha Psi, Wisconsin-River Falls

HIGHEST HONOR

HIGH HONOR

Dale Elsener Pi, Oklahoma State

HONORABLE MENTION

Kevin Bacon Alpha Tau, Western Illinois

Alpha Gamma, Florida

Arlene McCollum Theta, Missouri

Lifelong Membership Development

Logan Yearsley Alpha Theta, Maryland

Recognizes the top three chapters that have implemented a program which encompasses continuous education and lifelong personal development in not only new members, but also successful re-engagement of alumni.

Housemother/Director Management Recognizes the top three Housemothers/Directors who consistently demonstrate superior management of the chapter facilities and the chapter as a whole.

HIGHEST HONOR

HIGHEST HONOR

Michael Monson Theta, Missouri

HIGH HONOR

Bradley Starbuck Lambda, Minnesota

Alpha Pi, Arizona HIGH HONOR

Eta, Iowa State HONORABLE MENTION

Beta Phi, Idaho

Recruitment Excellence Recognizes top three chapters that have implemented an effective, year round recruitment program.

HIGHEST HONOR

Delta, Purdue HIGH HONOR

Alpha Eta, Georgia HONORABLE MENTION

Alpha Kappa, Tennessee-Knoxville

Living the Promise & Values Recognizes the top three chapters that enthusiastically embrace and uphold the Promise & Values, while continually presenting a positive image of Alpha Gamma Rho. HIGHEST HONOR

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State HIGH HONOR

Epsilon, North Dakota State

HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION

Nu, North Carolina State

Logan Yearsley Alpha Theta, Maryland Arlene McCollum Theta Chapter, Missouri HONORABLE MENTION

Deborah Martinez Chi, Cal Poly

Outstanding Undergraduates of the Year Recognizes collegiate brothers who are excelling in their college career, both on campus and with the Fraternity. Criteria will be based off of academic achievements, leadership and community involvement, and personal growth. A brother may only receive this honor once.

Jordan Gaal Iota, Wisconsin-Madison Michael Poggemiller Eta, Iowa State Michael Wijesinghe Alpha Theta, Maryland

HIGH HONOR

HONORABLE MENTION

Doug Craig Alpha Kappa Tennessee-Knoxville

Adviser Service 5 YEARS

William Renner Omicron, Kentucky

Larry Dooley Beta Nu, Texas A&M Chad Pugh Beta Mu, Austin Peay 10 YEARS

Charles Steiner Beta Gamma, Wisconsin-Platteville 15 YEARS

Anson Elliott Beta Omega, Missouri State Thomas Hoagland Alpha Nu, Connecticut 25 YEARS

Dale Perritt Beta Chi, Stephen F. Austin

30 YEARS

Paul Heineman Eta Chapter, Iowa State

Committed Alumni Corporation

Shawn Jasper Omega, New Hampshire

Recognizes chapters whose Alumni Corporation has demonstrated hard work and continued success for their chapter’s undergraduate membership.

35 YEARS

HIGHEST HONOR

Eta, Iowa State HIGH HONOR

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State HONORABLE MENTION

Alpha Iota, Arkansas

Outstanding Adviser Recognizes three individuals who go above and beyond when it comes to engagement and assistance to their chapter, as well as being a living testament to the AGR Promise & Values. The Fraternity recognizes that the Chapter Advisers play an important role in helping chapters, Make Better Men.

HONORABLE MENTION

Eta, Iowa State Alpha Tau, Western Illinois

Housemother/Director Social & Cultural Development

George Magers Beta Iota, Truman State Glenn Wehner Beta Iota, Truman State

Housemother/Director 5 YEAR

Tracey Harmon Dennis Beta Lambda, Texas A&MCommerce

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The Harvest

2018 Scholarship Recipients The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho offers scholarships to the undergraduate brothers across the country. Criteria for eligibility for each scholarship differs, but is based on the individual’s pursuit of excellence in scholarship and leadership, and for his contributions to community and fraternity. The deadline for all scholarship applications is April 30.

Apply for AGR’s National Scholarships!

Applying for scholarships from The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho has never been easier! Undergraduate members can apply for over 10 available scholarships with just 1 online form.

The “National Scholarship Application” form can be found at www.alphagammarho.org/undergraduate-scholarships.

Download the form, complete the questions, and email the completed form to awards@alphagammarho.org

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AGR EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP Up to four scholarships will be awarded to the individuals who excel in scholarship, leadership, citizenship, activities, and fraternal involvement. hh Tyler Dubry, New Mexico State hh Nate Heinmann, Nebraska-Lincoln hh Cody Little, Tennessee-Martin hh Michael Wijesinghe, Maryland

BILL SALLEE SCHOLARSHIP Alpha Gamma Rho Pi Chapter member who truly has the financial need and exhibits leadership and citizenship traits like Bill Sallee including individual endeavor, resourcefulness, aggressive effort and a balanced lifestyle. hh Mason Hinkle, Oklahoma State

The Harvest DAIRY SCHOLARSHIP Ole Meland has provided a scholarship for an AGR undergraduate who achieves high levels of excellence and is pursuing a major in dairy science, dairy husbandry, or animal science with a dairy emphasis. An undergraduate candidate at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo will be given first preference. hh Christopher Sweeney, Cornell

DALE RUNNION SCHOLARSHIP Presented to a current AGR undergraduate who plans to complete a college course to pursue a career in agrimarketing, journalism, advertising or public relations. The completion or plans to complete a course in livestock judging or evaluation, campus and/ or community leadership and active participation in journalistic activities will receive strong consideration. hh Harvard Williams, Iowa State

GENE SWACKHAMER AG ECONOMICS/ AG BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP Presented annually to one AGR undergraduate who achieves high levels of excellence and is pursuing a major in agricultural economics, agribusiness, resource management or closely related field of study. hh Dustin Winston, Idaho

HAROLD OLSON SCHOLARSHIP Presented to an Alpha Gamma Rho undergraduate who has achieved high levels of excellence in scholarship, leadership, citizenship, brotherhood, activities and service. hh Stephen Anderson, Vermont

HORTICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP

LESTER SMITH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

George Staby has provided for one scholarship to be awarded to an undergraduate who is enrolled with a declared horticulture-related major in; among others: entomology, environmental horticulture, horticulture, landscape gardening, landscape horticulture, ornamental horticulture, pest control, plant breeding, plant pathology, plant science (with horticulture emphasis), pomology, and/or vegetable crops; who have completed at least three courses in the department of their declared major.

This fund recognizes a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, with first preference going to Delta Chapter members who have demonstrated a financial need and a willingness to live by AGR’s Promise statement and uphold the AGR Values. The student must be living in the fraternity house and studying and preparing for a career in or related to agriculture, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, interest and ability in college, university and/or community extra-curricular activities.

hh Robert Lommerse, Florida Southern

J. WAYNE REHN SCHOLARSHIP Sophomore or junior member with preference given to Alpha Chapter members, who is majoring in preveterinary medicine or in animal science, living in the Fraternity house, and agrees to return to college for his ensuing year, live in the chapter house and continue to pursue his major with a high GPA. hhAndrew Johnson, Illinois

KIRBY BARRICK AGRICULTURE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP This fund provides one scholarship to a male student who plans to study agricultural education at a college with an AGR chapter with the intent to teach after graduation. Payment of the scholarship is made once the student enrolls in agricultural education and is initiated into the local AGR chapter. hh Kade Hill, Illinois

hh Zane Gottschalk, Purdue

LINDLEY FINCH SCHOLARSHIP The Foundation will grant one scholarship to an undergraduate who truly has financial need and exhibits leadership and citizenship traits like those of Lindley Finch, including endeavor, resourcefulness, aggressive effort, and a balanced lifestyle. First preference will be given to students of Eta Chapter, Iowa State University hh Brandon Hanson, Iowa State

ROBERT L. OEHRTMAN SCHOLARSHIP The recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student at their university and current brother of AGR, who has held leadership positions in their community, academics or religious affiliations. Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or better. hhJames Stults, Arkansas

UNDERGRADUATE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Two scholarships are presented to outstanding undergraduates that excel in all areas of involvement on campus and within Alpha Gamma Rho. hh Eric Leisy, Nebraska hh Trey Wiese, Iowa State

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The Harvest

Lifetime Giving Levels The following Lifetime Giving Levels recognize brothers with cumulative lifetime giving of $50,000 or more to The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho prior to July 1, 2018, and indicate the number of gifts made during a their lifetime. Thank you for all your generous and continued support for AGR.

NAME CHAPTER-SCHOOL

Founders’ Circle

TOTAL # OF GIFTS

$1,000,000 – $1,000,000,000

A.J. Jacques

Pi, Oklahoma State

38

Malone Mitchell

Pi, Oklahoma State

1

Order of the Brotherhood

$500,000 – $1,000,000

NAME CHAPTER-SCHOOL

TOTAL # OF GIFTS

William Yerkes

Gamma, Penn State

Dick Belcher

Delta, Purdue

26 27

Sandy Belden

Delta, Purdue

59

Joseph Coffey

Delta, Purdue

63

Tom Davis

Delta, Purdue

58 14

Phil Francis

Alpha, Illinois

23

Joseph Hasler

Delta, Purdue

Gene Lemon

Alpha, Illinois

48

Gregg Halverson

Epsilon, North Dakota State

8

Al Johnson

Epsilon, North Dakota State

61

Order of the Harvest

$100,000 – $500,000

Kirby Barrick

Beta, Ohio State

80

Dick Bere

Beta, Ohio State

17

Thomas Timmer

Beta, Ohio State

9

Byram Dickes

Delta, Purdue

Douglas Eckrote

Delta, Purdue

23

Mike Jackson

Delta, Purdue

40

40

Steven Newcom

Delta, Purdue

42

Gene Swackhamer

Delta, Purdue

79

David Sunderland

Epsilon, North Dakota State

Bill Hantke

Iota, Wisconsin-Madison

3 13

Samuel Davis

Nu, North Carolina State

36

Gary Clark

Pi, Oklahoma State

30

Bradley Gungoll

Pi, Oklahoma State

4

Doug Jackson

Pi, Oklahoma State

9

Lee Larkin

Pi, Oklahoma State

Doyle Jacklin

Sigma, Washington State

66

Donald De Jong

Chi, Cal Poly

38

N. Brooks

Alpha Gamma, Florida

5

John Douthat

Alpha Gamma, Florida

27

Bernie Lester

Alpha Gamma, Florida

60

Ed Smoak

Alpha Gamma, Florida

9

Randy Stoecker

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State

66

Doug Weyer

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State

52

Bill Boehm

Alpha Psi, UWRiver Falls

123

Order of the Shield

31

$50,000 – $100,000

Ed Foley

Alpha, Illinois

62

Gerald Gehlbach

Alpha, Illinois

29

Steven Gerdes

Alpha, Illinois

6

Larry Gerdes

Alpha, Illinois

11

Jim Ross

Alpha, Illinois

47

David Schick

Alpha, Illinois

27

James Berg

Beta, Ohio State

32

Bill Richards

Beta, Ohio State

17

Rick Carpenter

Gamma, Penn State

75

John Shearer

Gamma, Penn State

31

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Corey Martin

Epsilon, North Dakota State

13

Jerry Puppe

Epsilon, North Dakota State

42

Jim Borel

Eta, Iowa State

50

Sigmund Cornelius

Eta, Iowa State

43

David Van Wert

Eta, Iowa State

50

Steve Ellis

Theta, Missouri

91

Charlie Napier

Theta, Missouri

35

Robert Wheeler

Theta, Missouri

Karl Drye

Iota, Wisconsin-Madison

9 29

Russ Schuler

Iota, Wisconsin-Madison

2

Jerry Steiner

Iota, Wisconsin-Madison

30

Arthur Tab Williams

Nu, North Carolina State

Glenn Stith

Omicron, Kentucky

3 27

Ray Beck

Pi, Oklahoma State

3

Jeffrey Bode

Pi, Oklahoma State

4

Joe Hinz

Pi, Oklahoma State

17

A.L. Hutson

Pi, Oklahoma State

60 28

Paul Schulte

Pi, Oklahoma State

Scott Sewell

Pi, Oklahoma State

15

James Sigmon

Pi, Oklahoma State

14

K. Wayne Sizelove

Pi, Oklahoma State

2

Dennis Slagell

Pi, Oklahoma State

20

Paul Yauk

Pi, Oklahoma State

5

Gerry Rominger

Phi, CaliforniaDavis

52

Ole Meland

Chi, Cal Poly

40

Skye Krebs

Alpha Beta, Oregon State

6

Gary Nuss

Alpha Beta, Oregon State

64

Steve Burgess

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State

27

Loren Kruse

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State

82

James Mitchell

Alpha Iota, Arkansas

14

Donnie Smith

Alpha Kappa, TennesseeKnoxville 4

Larry Lepper

Alpha Tau, Western Illinois

37

Phil Nichols

Alpha Tau, Western Illinois

13

Norberta Modliszewski

Non-Member

3

Lillian Fobes

Non-Member

3

Smoak Groves, Inc.

Non-Member

1

The Harvest

Loyalty Fund For AGR: Giving For Our Purpose The 2017-18 Loyalty Fund for AGR: Giving for Our Purpose enables the Foundation to support programs for the National Fraternity including scholarships, Leadership Seminars, Recruitment Schools, Adviser Forums, Matching Funds and more.

Four Pillars Society $5,000+ 2017-18 Four Pillars Society membership is based on annual undesignated contribution of $5,000 or more, specifically in response to Loyalty Fund for AGR solicitation. This listing recognizes Brothers who are focused on a vision in support of educational programs that inspire young Brothers towards success.

ALPHA, ILLINOIS

DELTA, PURDUE

ETA, IOWA STATE

OMICRON, KENTUCKY

Gene Lemon

Allen Orr

Jim Borel

Glenn Stith

BETA, OHIO STATE

EPSILON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE

IOTA, WISCONSIN MADISON

PI, OKLAHOMA STATE

Kirby Barrick

Jack Brown

Jerry Steiner

A.J. Jacques

SIGMA, WASHINGTON STATE

ALPHA SIGMA, FRESNO STATE

Doyle Jacklin

Ian Burnett

CHI, CAL POLY

Donald De Jong

Grand President Society $1,000 – $1,903

The 1904 Society recognizes donors at three levels:

2017-18 Grand President’s Society membership is based on annual, undesignated contributions of $1,000-$1,903, specifically in response to Loyalty Fund for AGR solicitation. This listing recognizes brothers who are focused on a vision in support of educational programs that inspire young brothers towards success.

1904 Society: Alumni All alumni can join this level by making a gift of $1,904-$4,999 per fiscal year to the Loyalty Fund for AGR.

ALPHA, ILLINOIS

Brett Bayston Clifford Beatty Joseph Bicknell William Dimond Ed Dollinger Phil Francis David Larson Dave Maurer Wilbur Nelson Lyle Orwig David Schick

BETA, OHIO STATE

David Ames Karl Warnke GAMMA, PENN STATE

Rick Carpenter Tom Scott William Yerkes DELTA, PURDUE

Wayne Beehler Dick Belcher Joseph Coffey John Cottingham Dick Feltner Matthew Hill C. James McCormick John Nigh David Parker Charles Whittington Don Winters ZETA, CORNELL

Don Calhoun Walter Gladstone Douglas Mains Terry Savidge Andy White ETA, IOWA STATE

Fred Bahrenburg Charlie Brown Sigmund Cornelius Tim Heiller Jim Howe Greg Nickerson David Van Wert Arlen Wonderlich THETA, MISSOURI

Stephen Barr Matt Horstmeier Leslie Jett

IOTA, WISCONSIN MADISON

Karl Drye Dale Emshoff Samuel Miller Robert Schwert Bernie Staller

KAPPA. NEBRASKA

Jim Cada Hal Cooper Kent Pauley XI. AUBURN

Stanley Appleton OMICRON. KENTUCKY

Steve Hupman Tom Waldrop Samuel Willett PI. OKLAHOMA STATE

Jack Bradshaw Paul Burrell Kim Ford A.L. Hutson RHO. COLORADO STATE

David Ellicott

TAU. MICHIGAN STATE

Gerald Cole William Graves William Hellegas Dave Willetts PHI. CALIFORNIA DAVIS

Kip Herzog Ken McCorkle

CHI. CAL POLY

Ramon Echeverria Brett Hedrick Jeffrey Sanders PSI. MAINE

Allen Morell ALPHA GAMMA. FLORIDA

Barry Bustillo Jimmy Cheek Bernie Lester

ALPHA DELTA. MONTANA STATE

Jim Driscoll Jim Gannon Shane Lester

ALPHA EPSILON. LOUISIANA STATE

BETA DELTA, ILLINOIS STATE

ALPHA ZET. KANSAS STATE

BETA ZETA, CLEMSON

Ricky Guidry

Donald Griffiths Loren Kruse William Sorrick Michael Torrey ALPHA ETA. GEORGIA

Wilbur Mull J. Austin Pugmire ALPHA THETA. MARYLAND

Chuck Iager Paul Weller

ALPHA IOTA, ARKANSAS

Todd Martin

ALPHA KAPPA, TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE

Peter Markovich ALPHA MU, RUTGERS

Michael Mekenian ALPHA PI, ARIZONA

Robert Briggs Richard Morrison Ronald Rayner ALPHA RHO, VERMONT

Bruce Attig

Michael Freeman BETA THETA, MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Jason Searles

BETA SIGMA, TARLETON STATE

Michael Keith

1904 Society: Young Alumni Young Alumni (30 years or younger) can join this level by making a gift of $19.04 per month (or $228.48 per fiscal year) to the Loyalty Fund for AGR. 1904 Society: Collegiate Collegians can join this level by making a gift of $19.04 or more per fiscal year to the Loyalty Fund for AGR.

1904 Society: Alumni $1,904 – $4,999 ALPHA, ILLINOIS

David Hollinrake Thad Kuhfuss BETA, OHIO STATE

James Berg

DELTA, PURDUE

Gene Swackhamer EPSILON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE

Keith Bjerke Al Johnson

ZETA, CORNELL

Greg Wickham

ETA IOWA STATE

Mike Borel Ken Isley

THETA, MISSOURI

KAPPA, NEBRASKA

ALPHA TAU, WESTERN ILLINOIS

Larry Engelkemier Gregory Mullins William Schilling

Gerry Salzman

PI, OKLAHOMA STATE

Robert Hodgen Dennis Slagell

PHI, CALIFORNIA DAVIS

Gerry Rominger Jeremy Turner

BETA ETA, VIRGINIA TECH

ALPHA RHO, VERMONT

BETA THETA, MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Rex Martin Fendley Ragland Brian Markwell

ETA, IOWA STATE

Grant Bargfrede

KAPPA, NEBRASKA

ETA, IOWA STATE

Brandon Hanson

NU, NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Dwight Armstrong Kenneth Myers BETA ALPHA. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

OMICRON, KENTUCKY

BETA GAMMA. WISC. PLATTEVILLE

Duane Schaefer

Ronnie Green

Martin Rice

1904 Society: Young Alumni ($19.04 per month)

Ben Cauthen Matt Gould Stephen Mabe Kaleb Modlin Daniel Sartin Anthony Scala

Greg Webb

Bill Boehm

Jerome Graeser Larry Warren

ALPHA ZETA, KANSAS STATE

ALPHA PSI, UW RIVER FALLS

Nathan Laudan William Longinaker

Tanner Johnson

BETA PHI, IDAHO

1904 Society: Collegiate ($19.04 per year)

ALPHA OMEGA. MURRAY STATE

Jack Britt Ernest Yates

ALPHA IOTA, ARKANSAS

ALPHA SIGMA, FRESNO STATE

Phil George Phil Josephson

ALPHA CHI, WESTERN KENTUCKY

ALPHA PSI, UW RIVER FALLS

Paul Willis

Alex Wach

ALPHA PSI, UW RIVER FALLS

Troy Johnson

ALPHA GAMMA, FLORIDA

Jim Carpenter Erwin Clark

Gary Nelson

ALPHA PHI, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

Benjamin Willoughby ALPHA ZETA, KANSAS STATE

Del Adcock Dean Adcock Nathan Welch

Seth Pratt ALPHA PSI, UW RIVER FALLS

Joshua Borden Jonathan Erickson Jacob Filo Adam Kramer Clifton McClintock Logan Paschke Matthew Stanek Kyle Stuttgen Jacob Timm Eric Wuthrich BETA GAMMA, WISC. PLATTEVILLE

Jake Stukenberg BETA IOTA, TRUMAN STATE

Levi Krauss

BETA NU. TEXAS A & M

Preston De Jong Montgomery Gano Cyan Vaughn Coy Westbrook BETA XI. TEXAS TECH

Garrett Ballard Justin Daniel Will Estes Kolby Glenn Blake Grantham Sterling Hannsz Hayden James Hughes Grant Lanier Drew Martin Will Murray FA L L 2 0 1 8

Michael O'Neil Landon Smith BETA RHO, NORTHWEST MISSOURI

Wyatt Jackson Lane Peterson Jared Simmons BETA SIGMA, TARLETON STATE

Colton Griffin

BETA PHI, IDAHO

Dustin Winston GAMMA DELTA, ABAC

Wes Crumpton

SICKLE & SHEAF 23

ISTOCKPHOTO

The Harvest

Memorial & Honorary Gifts Memorial and Honorary Gifts may be made on behalf of any Alpha Gamma Rho brother and directed to any fund. The following listing recognizes the Alpha Gamma Rho brothers and friends who gave in honor of a brother between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018.

In Honor Of:

Don G. Knoche

Jenks Britt

by Keith D. Bjerke (in honor of Jack Britt)

Scott A. Clark

by Nancy Clark

Jack R. Dahl

by Keith D. Bjerke

Wyatt A. Feltman

by Wayne Feltman

by Bill A. Harbeke

Joseph Gray

by William D. Carriere

Gregory J. Hands

by Loren J. Kruse

Ronald W. Hurt

by W. Dan Groscost

by L. Patrick Scheetz

by Mark A. Seest

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FALL 2018

by State Farm

by Theta Eta Chapter of Sigma Kappa

by Denis D. Anderson

by Todd E. Armour

by Jeff Armstrong

by Mark A. Bemis

by Karen Bender

by Doris Blevins

by Valerie J Blevins

by Sandra Bond

by Susan Bostrom

by Frederick Brauer

by James Breuninger

by Dianne Burns

by Kay Burns

by Pete G. Cahill

by Drew D. Carls

by Gary D. Carstens

by Betty Chiti

by Joyree Chura

by Mark C. Cox

by Sarah Dal Pozzo

by Donald Daley

by Cyrelda Dobrino

by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by

Edward J. Dollinger Pat Eble Lori Eckhardt Dean W. Espenschied Dianne Feasley Mark E. Fecht John D. Foley Jane Frey Matt J. Full Tammara Gachter Mark C. Gossett David F. Hamman Fred Hamman James F. Hamman Christopher S. Harrell Sharon Haughey Jon R. Heyen Gregory L. Hodges Thomas W. Hoekstra Jane Homeier Betsy Hudson Scott C. Jeckel Brent J. Johnson C. Scott S. Johnson Eric E. Kahle Teri Kellar Jared J. Kempel Cheryl Knoche Kay Knop John L. Leinberger James P. Lindgren Leann Link Horace Mann Susan McLeod Cindy Mevorah John A. Milton Michael Moorberg Denny Myers Michael Novario Larry Odorizzi Jerry Park Leesha Peoples Robert W. Pritchard Dawn Quon Bradley Rogers Virgil B Rosendale Allyson Rotramel

by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by

Kyle Sanders Marie Schreiber Douglas G. Schroeder Joel C. Seiboldt Elizabeth Shafer Randall S. Shimkus Debra Stierwalt Karey Terselic Linda Thomas Susan Unger Diana Vaughn Carole Wall John Weber Tina Weis Timothy Williamson Scott L. Willis Jim F. Wright

James W. Lindley

by Patrick B Lindley

Russ G. Mawby

by Edward M. Thelen

C. James McCormick

by The McCormick Family Foundation

Emil M. Mrak

by Dean W. Wheeler

William W. Ortlieb

by Andrew P. White

Wilbur E. Pauley

by Ronald D. Green

John D. Reitenour

by James L. Whitehead

Donald I. Wickham

by James E. Munroe

by Bill S. Wickham

Donald J. Wickham

by Bill S. Wickham

Daniel L. Winans

by Rick H. Hiatt

The Harvest

Heritage Club The Heritage Club honors brothers and friends of Alpha Gamma Rho who leave a legacy for the future of the Fraternity through specific gifts or bequests. Admittance is attained with planned gifts of $10,000 or more designated to The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho. Alpha, Illinois

Pi, Oklahoma State

Alpha Zeta, Kansas State

Alpha Tau, Western Illinois

Steven Gerdes Jim Ross Jim Zumwalt

James Ferrell

JD Hagedorn Edwin Kerley Loren Kruse Warren Nichols Tim Rosenhagen Doug Weyer

Jeff Warner

Alpha Theta, Maryland

Jay Poole

Beta, Ohio State Kirby Barrick

Gamma, Penn State

Sigma, Washington State Doyle Jacklin

Tau, Michigan State John Welser

Rick Carpenter

Phi, California Davis

Delta, Purdue

John Kidd Jeremy Turner

Dick Feltner Mike Jackson Ted Priebe Gene Swackhamer

Epsilon ,North Dakota State Jack Brown Tom Gates Al Johnson Jerry Puppe

Eta, Iowa State Fred Bahrenburg Mike Borel Bret Carter Scott Flynn Steve Hanson David Van Wert Robert Vasko Arlen Wonderlich

Chi, Cal Poly Ole Meland

Omega, New Hampshire

Paul Weller

Bill Boehm Phil Josephson

Beta Eta, Virginia Tech Beta Tau, Mississippi State

Alpha Kappa, Tennessee Knoxville

Brad Garrison

Thomas White

If you have included the Foundation in your will or estate plan, please notify the Home Office, you will be recognized as a member of the Heritage Club, one whose legacy will Make Better Men.

Alpha Lambda, New Mexico State

Everett Ryan

Paul Gutierrez

Alpha Beta, Oregon State

Alpha Pi, Arizona

Vince McElligott

Len Richardson

Alpha Delta, Montana State

Alpha Rho, Vermont

Jim Driscoll

Alpha Psi, UW River Falls

Erwin Clark LC Jost Don McFeeters

Theta, Missouri Zane Akins Lynn Fahrmeier Lowell Mohler Lowell Newsom Dan Prosser

Kappa, Nebraska Ron Grapes William Schilling Charlie Trauger

Nu, North Carolina State Tyler Warren

Omicron, Kentucky David Case Glenn Stith

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SICKLE & SHEAF 25

Transitions

In Memory of Our Great Brothers The following deaths were reported to the Home Office since the last publication of Sickle & Sheaf.

The listing includes initiation year.

Auburn William Ted Heath, 1956 James Dennis Langston, 1969 John F. Pritchett, 1961 William B. Stribling, 1959 Charles Clancy Turner, 1960 Stanley P. Wilson, 1951 Colorado State Don E. Bailey, DVM, 1946 Ryan S. Lacy, 1999 Cornell Merrick M. Reed, 1969 Illinois Herbert Hyde Green, 1943 L. Gene Lemon, 1959 Max A. Olson, 1957 Charles G. Tomm, 1949 David M. Van Oman, 1970 Iowa State Maurice E. Core, 1950 Howard D. Miller, 1959 Kansas State Cecil W. Ingmire, DVM, 1945 Zeb A. Larson, 1997 John Meetz, 1963 O. Max Peterson, 1963 Kentucky David M. Frymire, 1946 James Mendel Howard, 1962 James P. Kirby, II, 1979 Timothy W. Marcum, 1973 Charles E. Prewitt, 1966 Jeffrey L. Singer, 1977

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FALL 2018

Maine Francis W. Drake, Jr., 1956 Maryland Richard G. Boston, 1956 John Harry Hoyert, Jr., 1942 Richard L. Kemp, 1954 Massachusetts Richard E. Gaylord, 1948 Minnesota Dylan Wilson Fulton, 2017 Paul C. Griebel, 1974 Missouri Martin J. Johns, 1947 Lelan E. Kapp, 1958 Sidney B. Powell, Jr., 1952 Montana State Harold A. Brown, 1962

New Hampshire Martin M. Feuer, 1946 New Mexico State Thomas E. Crume, 1958 North Carolina State Edgar L. Dallery, 1952 David S. Sartin, 1953 North Dakota State Myron L. Aune, 1979 Richard D. Knutson, 1959 Jerome D. Narum, 1965 Marvin K. Pfeifer, 1969 Ronald I. Tolstad, 1953 Ohio State William L. Flinn, 1959 Floyd W. Guterba, 1950 Oklahoma State Abbott J. Deakins, 1971 Matt E. Wynn, 1970

Penn State Donald G. Lerch, Jr., 1938 Edward M. McMillin, 1948 Purdue Richard A. Elsbury, 1952 Michael Emmert, 1972 Southern Illinois James Frederick Cunningham, 1970 Tennessee-Knoxville David T. Craig, 1967 Kirk T. Mann, 1985 Charles L. Smith, 1953 Lawrence A. Ward, Jr., 1986 Charles R. Wooten, Jr., 1973 A. Manson Morrow, II, 1967 Richard A. Robinson, 1963

Texas A&M William Montgomery Gano, 2016 Vermont Sid Boyle, 1979 Antonio DiRuocco, 2011 Washington State Arthur M. Sunderland, 1941 West Virginia Charles Edward Main, 1956

Q&AGR

Q&AGR BERNIE STALLER, NEWLY ELECTED GRAND PRESIDENT OF ALPHA GAMMA RHO, SHARES HIS FRATERNITY EXPERIENCE AND HIS IDEAS FOR THE AGR NATIONAL BOARD. Brother Staller, a native of Indiana, graduated from high school in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin in 1961. In 1962, he was initiated into Iota Chapter at the University of WisconsinMadison where he graduated with honors and holds both bachelor and master’s degrees. Staller then served as an agribusiness instructor and FFA Advisor at JanesvilleParker High School.

In 1977, Staller became Assistant Executive Director of the National FFA Foundation and was promoted to Executive Director in 1979. In 1991 he assumed responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer for both the National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation. He retired in 2004. He is a past president of The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho and served Iota Chapter’s Alumni Corporation on Educational Foundation boards and several capital campaigns. Staller and his wife Martha have two children and five grandchildren.

What are a few life lessons you learned on the farm?

My farm experience taught me the value of hard work and focused effort. Our farm was large and there was always far more work to get done than hours available.

Being willing to work hard is a wonderful attribute. But focusing on doing the right things — then doing them right — is what leads to success.

AGR, I immediately had a family of 40 men who shared a common purpose.

That made a huge difference.

AGR provided a cadre of caring people and social skills I desperately needed.

My Big Brother, Jack King, helped me stay focused on academic and career success among all the “noise” on a college campus.

Without AGR, I doubt I would have even graduated from UW-Madison.

How has your AGR experience impacted your life and career?

What are among the top priorities of the national AGR board?

I was reared in a family of 11 and was the first member of my family to attend college. Going to a university of 40,000 students, my success was certainly not assured. But when I joined

There are three: One, we want to grow our fraternity and its influence by growing chapters and seeking strategic partnerships.

Two, we want to increase undergraduate participation

in shaping our National Fraternity’s future direction through our new eightmember Collegiate Advisory Council. And three, we want our fraternity to become increasingly transparent in our operation and relationships.

Our chapters are led by many great and generous volunteers. At the national level, we want to harvest from these leaders their best of ideas and practices in chapter operations, academic environment, engagement of alumni, communications and preparation of undergraduates for life and career success.

“Focusing on doing the right things — then doing them right — is what leads to success.”

We can then assist all chapters in implementing high-yielding ideas for best performance and growth. We also want to explore additional strategic partnerships with ag organizations and/or sororities involving women and minorities. We believe such partnerships enrich our undergraduate experience and expand our influence in the global ag industry.

Are the words “to make better men” as relevant to our AGR Purpose today as in 1904?

Our Purpose is as important as ever. When we Make Better Men, we also make better husbands, fathers, employees, and school board members. We make better citizens, better leaders and a better agriculture! What we do is certainly relevant and so very much needed in this country today.

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SICKLE & SHEAF 27

The Last Pass

Alpha Gamma Rho Loses a GIANT! Gene Lemon, an extraordinary leader within Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, died on June 30, 2018, after a short fight with cancer.

He was 78. Services were held in July 2018, where many AGR brothers and friends gathered to honor Brother Lemon and support his family.

During the 65th AGR National Convention in August 2018, a tribute to Gene Lemon was given by former AGR CEO Phil Josephson. Brother Josephson and Lemon were great friends.

“GENE LEMON WAS A GRACIOUS gentleman. He was a role model as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, AGR, and friend. Gene had an illustrious career and served as a volunteer and dedicated servant for many local, state and national charities, organizations and government tasks. It was always neat to see Gene's bio end with a significant acknowledge-

provisions for positive changes. In the fall of 2017, Gene was recognized by the North-American Interfraternity Conference Foundation with its Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Gene was also a donor — he and Cathie put their money where their thoughts were. Gene Lemon was AGR’s 4th largest donor in history. He was also

ment of AGR's presence in his life."

In 1958, Gene went on to the University of Illinois and was initiated into AGR on February 22, 1959. He served as Noble Ruler for Alpha Chapter and also served as a helping hand to Sleeter Bull (while sharing a glass of Sleeter’s favorite Bourbon.) Gene served as AGR’s Legal and General Counsel for over 50 years — setting a record in the Greek World. He was elected Grand President in abstentia and re-wrote the AGR National Constitution in 1976-77. He was elected as a Brother of the Century during AGR’s Centennial and inducted into AGR’s Hall of Fame.

Brother Lemon has been a stalwart at every level. He was on the Uniform Law Conference that wrote the legislation to allow Foundations to operate with 28 SICKLE & SHEAF

FALL 2018

“May God bless the life and legacy of Gene Lemon.”

- PHIL JOSEPHSON

a huge donor of his business acumen and his rich experiences.

For over 50 years AGR benefited by having Gene share some best business practices which were of great advantage.

You would frequently see Gene networking with the undergraduates at conventions and seminars as he also donated his hospitality

and humor. He always had time for others and never a negative comment — just a gentleman.

Gene Lemon was a giant in AGR. He was my good friend, and I will miss him. He will be deeply missed by AGR but he would not want us to shed a tear. He would want us to move forward with conviction to do the right things.

Our Roots

The Refrigerator Sleeter Bull, also known as “The Grand Old Man of Alpha Gamma Rho,” gifted his 1930’s General Electric Monitor Top Refrigerator to AGR Brother Gene Lemon when Lemon and his wife, Cathie, got married in the early 1960’s. Bull was Alpha Gamma Rho’s first Executive and served as “Grand Secretary” from 1917 to 1963.

While attending the University of Illinois, Lemon served Bull as a helping hand to the fraternity back when the national office of Alpha Gamma Rho was set up in Bull’s basement of his home in Urbana, IL — refrigerator included. The Lemons used the refrigerator as they set up their first household in Western Springs, IL, and continued to move it from home to home throughout the 60’s and onward. Today, it sits in the Lemon household in Phoenix, AZ. “The refrigerator is part of the memory of the relationship Gene had with first AGR Executive Sleeter Bull and the Bull family,” said former AGR CEO Phil Josephson, “it seems to represent the foundation of Brotherhood Gene developed with AGR early on and continued throughout his 50 years of service to the fraternity.”

Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity 10101 N. Ambassador Drive Kansas City, MO 64153-1366

2019 Leadership Seminars Make sure your Chapter is represented! AGR Leadership Seminars, in conjunction with Sigma Alpha Sorority, provide both collegiate and alumni members with the ability to share experiences, inspire involvement, and create lasting impacts on their campuses and communities. Brothers have the opportunity to network with other young agricultural professionals from across the country and share in each other’s challenges and triumphs.

Oklahoma City, OK February 1-2, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT February 8-9, 2019 Indianapolis, IN February 15-16, 2019 Richmond, VA February 22-23, 2019

âžź Registration coming soon!